Letters: April 28, 1951

        I wrote last night and I’m not in the habit of writing two days in succession but today I ran across a letter from you written on Nov. 22 of last year. I remember now I had received it in Yokohama--the first one I received from the States. In it you talked about our “night”, how you were sorry what happened--how much you enjoyed the fun we had at the different spots. While reading the letter (for the nth time) I dreamed away and it was fun. I mean the night we had. Even leaving me to the mercy of God knows what in the car outside of your apartment. I still laugh at that. --Goddamn, a 155 gun outfit moved into position about fifty yards from my hole and they’re starting to fire. It’s ten thirty at night and they will probably fire all night. No sleep I guess. A 155 can be awfully loud. But I’m glad it’s outgoing, not incoming.
        The other pilots and myself had a discussion tonight on the relative merits of the comic strip--Steve Canyon. We get an occasional Stars & Stripes, about two weeks late but it has sports and funnies. Anyway, according to the discussion it’s a good story and it began to take on a real life aspect that was both humorous and pathetic. At first I tried to speak on the subject objectively but was soon immersed up to my neck. Odd how seemingly important unimportant things can be.
        This letter is also, in a way, a Mother’s Day greeting. You may be someday [a mother], you know. I have hopes. So Happy Mother’s Day hon.
        I guess this letter will seem a little odd. Maybe so. Maybe I’m in an odd mood or maybe I’m--see I really don’t know. I sometimes wish I had the power of a poet like Browning or a writer like Maugham to be able to express things I feel. I feel I need much more education to do such a thing but, deep down, I wonder why--one thing I do know--an old French something or other--it’s kind of nice:
        Today I love you more than I did yesterday but less than I will tomorrow.
        P.S. spend a buck and send me some nice writing paper huh? I’m almost out.